Spring is here, and it brought its annual brigade of new style and design trends.One of these is more of a reiteration.

Spring, “If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it every year since 1998. Go Green! Solar panels, green juice, electric cars for Pete’s sake. Lets get it together!”Everyone, “But spring, is this a passing trend?”Spring, “No, no. Listen-What began as a perspective has become the standard. It’s a responsibility. Green is the future. Green is here to stay!”Everyone, “Ok take it easy big guy (or is spring a maiden?) How can we follow the cutest trends while also being green?” Mohr and Mcpherson, “Um, excuse us please, over here. WE GOT THIS. Read our blog.”

Behold, a list of our favorite spring trends that are also completely green friendly. Whats more, you can find examples of all of these items in both of our showrooms.Talk about convenience!

Cisco Brothers Upholstery

With a custom option called “Inside Green”, its no wonder this brand is at the top of our list. Cisco Brothers has not only been producing high-end furniture since 1990, they have been “green friendly” all along. Based in Los Angeles, Cisco employs local artisans to hand craft each piece of furniture, using responsibly sourced, sustainable materials.Every piece of furniture produced by Cisco is free of all formaldehyde and flame retardants, and built with FSC approved wood. In addition to this base standard, you can choose to upgrade any Cisco order to “Inside Green”. The Inside green option reduces materials to natural Latex, organic wool, organic goose feathers and down.

“These natural materials are not only superior in terms of comfort and lifespan, but are inherently flame retardant and hypoallergenic. Every product in the Cisco line can be ordered using Inside Green technology.” -Cisco.

From Cisco’s new line of textiles: From Top left, Cocoa Chocolate, Farrah Wheat, Midnight Minh

Cisco Brothers not only sets the standard in luxurious, insanely comfortable seating, the brand aesthetic is perfectly on trend. Their signature look relies heavily on textured, natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, jute and hemp, which come in a huge range of neutrals and brights. The brand has also recently developed a new line of textiles, which features a range of geometric and tribal inspired prints. Going for the California chic trend,or looking to lighten up your industrial loft? Go with Cisco. Do you need a timeless, understated sofa for your beach house that will stand the test of salt, sand and children? Trust us, Cisco.

We have a crazy selection of leather cuffs made by our very own Karole Moe! These bracelets are made using remnants and scraps of leather from the Cisco Factory. These are a fun and beautiful way to experience leather.

Live Edge Furniture

Live edge has been creeping up steadily for several seasons as an exciting, yetsomewhat alternative trend. In 2016, the look has landed front and center of basically everything.Live Edge dining, console and coffee tables can be seen across the board in design publications and have invaded pinterest with total confidence. While the most avant-garde examples are being used in editorials and high-profile commercial projects from offices to restaurants, the average family home can incorporate a simple live edge piece with ease.

This unique design style was inspired by traditional Japanese woodworking, and created by George Nakashima, a mid-century furniture maker and architect, as well as the father of the America Craft movement. “Nakashima’s signature woodworking design was his large-scale tables made of large wood slabs with smooth tops but unfinished natural edges, consisting of multiple slabs connected with butterfly joints.” Wikipedia.

Live Edge furniture is completely organic, and makes use of wood that would otherwise be deemed unusable due to being knotty, or having unruly angles and gaps. The Live Edge philosophy seeks to feature these “imperfections”, working them into the design of the piece. This style is great if you want your home to feel more organic and down to earth, while at the same time majorly chic and modern. You really can’t go wrong. At Mohr & McPherson, we’ve had a long time crush on this genius and beautiful design style, showcasing a range of examples. We love the Asian design roots and detailed craftsmanship that goes into Live Edge, as well as the amazing sculptural essence each piece provides, making art of something functional.

Mango Wood Furniture

Similar to Live Edge, Mango Woofurniture is made from wood that was once considered “scrap”. In this way, it is economically responsible and hugely sustainable, as mango trees are already being grown in massive numbers by another industry altogether the fruit trade. Mango trees only produce fruit for about 15 to 20 years, and at this time the trees would traditionally be cut down and either used as fuel or left to rot-which also increased co2 emissions. These two industries have reached a very sensible deal, and are now helping each other, as well as the earth.

Mango wood is a very grainy hardwood, but soft enough for woodworkers to manipulate. It is very receptive to staining and waxing. Naturally, it has a golden, sometimes light brown color, and often unique pattern to the grain. Because of its availability, Mango wood tends to be less expensive, despite its high quality, making it very popular in the furniture industry.

Indian Furniture from Reclaimed Wood

If we are going to talk about being green, we can’t leave out The 4 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,Reclaim. All of these are relevant when it comes to our curated selection of wood furniture from India. While we supply furniture from lots of countries, our largest selection of reclaimed pieces is from India. Some of these are entirely “reused”- antiques and vintage pieces with a particular story. More often, our Indian pieces are newly constructed using reclaimed wood, which has often been taken from antiques. For example, an armiore might be constructed of new wood, but the doors are taken from the doorway of a palace.

These pieces are a great example of the “eclectic” presence which is becoming a defining aspect of every “boho-chic” or “Urban loft” look. In 2016 there is a strong desire in the design world for authenticity, and this has led to the increased demand for unique, rustic pieces that you probably can’t find in a catalogue. These items provide character and that hard to define “lived in” aesthetic, while also adding a big dose of statement to your space.As luck would have it, this is our specialty! We have an ever-changing selection of one of a kind, Indian furniture for you to endlessly peruse until you find your perfect fit.

Our jewelry boxes are overflowing with dazzling masterpieces from local artist and jeweler, Nicole Buttery. Nicole’s pieces incorporate nature’s bounty of sparkling, multicolored gems and stones, as well as driftwood, clay and bone. While being crafty in nature, these one of a kind creations are expertly constructed and contain high quality chains and metals. Silver, gold, and some vintage materials are also used. Nicole’s jewelry is chic and elegant, and each piece is unique. Read about what inspires Nicole, below.

I am naturally a collector. I am always searching for tiny treasures wherever I go. Maybe a piece of sea-glass, or a tiny flower, there’s always an object calling for me to pick it up. By chance two strange objects meet, fall in love, and a new project is conceived. Almost everything I collect I use in my art pieces, therefore collecting fuels my art, inspiration and creative process. I want the viewer to instantly be attracted to my work. Whether it’s my use of bright colors, textures, or compulsive use of gems and odd bits. I want my work to be quirky, playful and a sort of “eye candy”.

Stone setting is a huge part of my work. Sometimes I like to take mundane objects and set them in a way that almost puts them on a pedestal. I like to push limits in terms of size and wearability. Big and dramatic while also being comfortable and easy to wear everyday. My works aesthetic pulls from cabinets of curiosity, the displays in the Natural History museums, Polly Pocket, miniatures, doll houses, antiques, fashion, fantasy, fairy-tales, dreams, Wicca, the occult, and nature. My work is well made, interesting, and literally “one of a kind”. They are all hand crafted with unique materials, and fun fascinating shapes. My art has an other worldly feel, and transports the viewer to another more magical realm. There’s a mag-pie in all of us that my work inevitably appeals to. One can’t help but feel under an enchanted spell.-Nicole Buttery

View and purchase wide selection of Nicole Buttery jewelry in our Boston Showroom, including the pieces below. Visit us at 460 Harrison Ave in the Sowa Arts district.

The city of Chefchaouen is tucked away in the Riff mountains of northern Morocco.It is located about four hours from the city of Fez, and is remote and well hidden.It was founded in 1471, when Jewish and Moorish refugees fled the Spanish Reconquista, and was used as a sort of base while hiding from the invading Portuguese. Chefchaouen once again became a safe haven in the 1930’s when Jews were fleeing Europe. It was during this time that the city was painted entirely in Blue.

The color blue, in addition to being beautiful, represents the sky and the Heavens in Judaism. Painting homes blue for spiritual inspiration had been a practice of the first refugees in the 1400’s, but became widespread in the 1930’s. The families of Muslims,Berbers, and Jews lived here in peace for hundreds of years. However in 1948, most of the Jewish families left for Israel. The people Chefchaouen today still keep the Jewish tradition alive, and continue to paint their building blue, applying fresh paint seasonally. The local government supplies paint and brushes to the people as well.

Another fun fact about the blue paint is that it is rumored to keep away mosquitos. Mosquitos dislike flowing water, and from a distance that is what the city appears to be. Many visitors say that while walking through the narrow, cavelike streets, it can start to feel like you are swimming

Like many other parts of Morocco, This city is colorful! Not only are there countless variations of blue to gaze at, other colors are celebrated too. Bags of pigment fill the markets, and vibrant, handwoven rugs are a big part of cultural tradition here.

While most of us won’t be visiting this heavenly city any time soon, we can dream about it, and better yet we can shop about it. Here are some of the most Chefchaouen and inspired pieces at Mohr and McPherson.

California Boho is a fairly new phrase, applied to some very classic aesthetics.You might ask, what does this word pairing really mean? How does one california-ize their boho? Of course the concept of bohemia has never been far in people’s minds from California. The ideologies of both words conjure other words- surf, sand, salt-soft. Waves in the ocean, waves in your hair. Waves in the patterns of your textiles. Still, this is not your standard Haight/Ashbury fan fare. We’re talking sleek lines. Were talking sophisticated neutrals dusted with specific, sparkling odes to boho; ethic patterns, layered textures, organic materials, nature inspired pieces. Regular old hippie dippie style can exist anywhere. The key to California Boho is modernization. Heres how to get to the land of chic: Steer with great restraint away from over doing it with the boho part, take a slight left at minimalism, and straight on till morning through mid century modern.

1.A Vibrant, Tribal inspired RugA rug is a great first step. You can choose one to compliment the furniture you already have, or if you’re starting from scratch, you can choose whatever you want and design the rest of the room around the rug. Flat weaves are great for this look, and the Kilim is at the top of the list.

3.Poufs, Pillows, and Boho AccentsHere’s the place to go crazy! Since you have kept it neutral with the larger items, the interchangeable accents can be some what of a free-for-all without compromising sophistication. You are encouraged to layer patterns and textures, which will give dimension and warmth.

4.Live EdgeLive edge furniture is a great way to introduce nature inspired themes into your decor, without turning your living room into a summer camp log cabin. you can keep it simple with a small stump used as a stool or side table, or make a statement with a larger piece.

A dreary Saturday is the perfect time to do some shopping. Luckily we have all sorts of new accessories to brighten your day, including heaps of handmade jewelry, kimonos and shawls. For some style inspiration, check out our own Mary Cashman modeling the loot.

Nautical decor is classic. Though this look never goes out of style, it is having a moment in Spring/Summer 2015. Often times people stay away from Nautical for fear of making their home look like a beachside souvenier shop. To keep this look modern, go for simple pieces that have a touch of nautical flair, or choose one or two kitschy items and pair with toned down neutrals.

Although Mid Century Modern never quite goes out of style, it has been having an extended moment in home design. The look is sticking around this spring, and there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to keep the look modern and on trend. Pay attention to details to avoid recreating your grandmother’s house, or possibly worse, an outdated, wannabe version of your grandmother’s house circa 2011.

A general concept that is definitely out in 2015 is the “Instant Vintage” trend. This was based on making something new look old, but not in a hand crafted, shabby chic way. It was more about mass produced knock offs of classic vintage styles, which lacked not only character but one of the best things about vintage furniture-quality and craftsmanship. Regardless of the trend, this season is all about authenticity. When it comes to doing mid century modern, if it’s vintage, great. If it’s not vintage that’s great too, but look for pieces that are M.C.M inspired, while still maintaining their integrity. If done right, these pieces will add a chic, contemporary, depth to your overall look,

Another way to keep this trend fresh in 2015 is to mix it up. The whole space does not need to be head to toe M.C.M; in fact it is more modern to add in multiple ethnic accents. Steering away from traditionally vintage, loud colors such as bright orange, olive green and teal can also help to modernize your Mid Century Modern look. If you do choose a piece or two in those colors, balance it out with neutrals everywhere else, such as grays and natural woods.

These photos from Apartment Therapy show a great example of mixing mid century modern pieces with, ethnic prints, organic textures, and neutral tones to give the space an overall modern and minimalistic bohemian feel.

If you are purchasing an investment piece such as a sofa and want to go mid century modern, neutrals are a safe bet. Precedent Furniture, which we now carry in our store, has lots of great options, including an entire line called “Vintage made modern”. Featured below are the Astor Sofa and the Edward Sofa by Precedent Furniture.

If you want to add a bold pop of color, a smaller piece like this chair is a great way to go.

Or, go with something big and bright and tone it down with neutrals and contemporary pieces.

Its Valentines Day again. Time to make a lady in your life feel special. We have just the thing-Jewelry, of course.

Mohr & McPherson has a wide and varied selection of jewelry, and most is handmade and one of a kind. We have something for every woman, from simple and understated, classic silver and gold, to gems from India, to bold, eccentric pieces. What’s more, much of our collection is currently up to 40% off.

This year in the design world, it’s all about keeping it real. Whats out? Inauthenticity. That includes chalk board paint, faux fur, and Instant Vintage-something new that’s made to look old. Lucky for us(and you), we have the real deal when it comes to old furniture, rustic, textured surfaces, raw materials, and layers upon layers of ethnic prints and influences. Read on to learn more about what is trending in 2015.

Top Looks

Eco Friendly-Inspired by NatureThis look is just what it sounds like. It’s clean, soft, neutral, and inspired by all things organic. The focus is on natural imperfection-if its lopsided, uneven or unfinished it works. Relevent materials include Copper, glass, stone, burlap, rope, linen, bone, horn, fur, and raw wood. More often than not this look incorporates raw wood in the form of Live Edge, which is a huge trend in its own right and is being used within many other decor styles as well.

Ethnic MixThis lookis a large scale representation of the mixed materials trend. It’s all about the fusion and of different and often contrasting cultures, styles and textures. Getting away from the minimalism craze, this look emphasizes that more is more. Layered textiles and patterns is key, and finding complimenting qualities in seemingly contrasting items makes it all come together, often through color. An easy way to experiment with this look is by adding bold, ethnic accents to your space, instead of starting out with loud basics.

Industrial ChicOnce again, the merging of different aesthetics comes into play. The difference between Industrial and Industrial Chic is softness. Lighten up an Industrial decor and add soft, plush blankets and rugs in neutral tones. Incorporate raw materials and nods to nature such as live edge, petrified stumps and plants. Or, take a soft, neutral space and add in the industrial accents such as leather, wire furniture, Edison lamps, and Industrial themed wall hangings.

Specific Trends

Mixed MaterialsThis trend is all about the clashing and merging of different cultures, attitudes and qualities, which is an overall theme in the design world this year. Wood and Metal are a common example of this trend, representing the coming together of nature and science.

Rose GoldThis trend started in fashion and has spread to home design. It was once primarily popular in copper light fixtures but is now also commonly found in plumbing fixtures, hardware and flatware.

Wire AccentsThis trend is biggest in the form of lighting and side tables . It is incorporated heavily into both the Industrial Chic and Geometry looks, but can also be spotted hanging out in ethnic mix and nature inspired decors.

(Triple Threat Trend: Wire Accents, Industrial Chic, Geometry)

Marble-Solid and PrintAlthough Marble surfaces are common in bathrooms and kitchens, marble is making its way into the rest of the home in the form of solid, marble furniture. It is also a popular print for pillows, blankets, and wall pieces.

Live Edge

Live edge is a style of wood furniture where the natural edge of the wood is used in the design of the piece. Gnarly wood and salvaged wood which could not be used in conventional woodworking are often used in the production of Live edge.Live edge is a mix of “Western” and rustic furniture styles. It was made famous in the middle of the 20th century by George Nakashima, who was the founder of the Arts and Crafts movement.

We can’t really say enough about Live edge. We love it, and so does the design world. It is being incorporated in a variety of decor styles, and is moving quickly from a trend to a basic.

(Triple Threat Trend:Live Edge, Textured Surfaces, Nature Inspired)

Cow Hide
Nature inspired for sure, cow hide is a bold and glamorous statement piece while it also remains neutral with its organic colors and feel.

Textured SurfacesThis trend encompasses many other trends, such as live edge. It works with the Ethnic Mix look and is definitely part of the Nature inspired attitude. Textured surfaces are multi-versitile and easy to work into many different looks, from shabby chic to Industrial.

Painted Wood-Pop of ColorPainting a wooden piece of furniture is an easy and understated way to add color to a room. Although this specific piece is dipping into the textured surface trend, the painted wood look can also be sleek and smooth, almost glossy.

Colors

MarsalaPantone color of the year- The spring/summer version of this trend is called “the in-harmony trend”. It is a much softer version of Marsala and mixes deep mauve and apricot shades.

Cobalt Blue-Greek Blue

Natural colorsInspired by natural landscapes like mountains and forests, this palette is all about toned down neutrals like inky blues and beige-grey. These colors Pair well with the raw materials found in the Nature Inspired look.

Rugs

PainterlyRugs that look like paintings are huge right now. Think florals, swoopy designs, and uneven shapes.

We don’t mean to brag, but our rug gallery is one of the most unique in New England, and is absolutely stacked with a large and distinctive collection of only the most beautiful, handmade pieces. Bold, vibrant, understated, detailed, simplistic, and a great mix of both modern and traditional – we have got something for everyone’s taste. For me, the most interesting part of a visit to the rug gallery is all the incredible history behind each type of rug, and the huge level of detail and work that goes into the creation of every one. Touring the gallery with Callum McPherson will give you a first hand look into the amazing world of handmade carpets. You can learn about the origin of the rug, the techniques used to weave it, the history of the design style, and so much more. To prepare for our upcoming rug sale, we are creating several guides on how to purchase a rug for your home. Here is a glossary of terminology, important to know when viewing and purchasing. Check back soon for our free rug buying guide later this month!

Design and Technique Terms:

Abrash
Difference in color throughout the rug. This comes from the variations of the wool used to weave the rug. When the wool is dyed before the rug is woven, the dye reflects differently based on the specific pile of wool it is used on. These variations in color give the rug a natural feel.

Flat Weave
A type of rug, which is woven, rather than knotted. They are much flatter and thinner than knotted rugs because they do not have pile. This makes the rugs easier to transport, and they are therefore still utilized all over the world as wall tapestries, for prayer rugs, and as saddle pads. Many middle eastern countries still weave these by hand, while other rug manufacturers have switched to machinery and tools to produce rugs faster, which also makes the rugs less expensive than the hand woven ones. (note: Mohr & McPherson does not specialize in machine made rugs.)

Overdyed A recent technique developed to give rugs, an overall color and a more modern esthetic. Often this is done to salvage an old rug, which will have had undesirable colors or have become faded. The original color is stripped down to more of the natural base colors and the rug is saturated with one, vibrant color. By Dying over the original colors and designs, the rug becomes more fluid and flexible in style. It is easier to add a rug to a room when it is one color, rather than multi colored and heavily patterned, such as the traditional Eastern rugs that were popular in the west in the early to mid 20th century. Now people are looking for less design, which can make a bolder statement, while still remaining simple. The original markings of the rug can still be detected beneath the dye, giving it a rustic quality, and creating nuances and variations within the solid color.

Pile Weave
A type of rug which is knotted rather than woven on a loom. It consists of three layers- the base threads, normally made of cotton which, are the foundation, a woven layer that acts as a cushion, and the final layer, which is the ends of each individual knot after being cut and is called the pile of a rug. You can run your hand over the top layer of this rug, and the pile will brush back and forth. This is where sheen may come into play.

Sheen
When buying a rug, you may be looking for one with a certain level of sheen. When walking around the perimeter of the rug, you will observe that the light picks up certain colors more brightly from different angles, and the shadow of each thread makes it appear darker. This is based on the direction the knots were tied in, in relation to the angle you are looking from. If the brightness and depth of the colors does not change with your position, the rug does not have a high level of sheen. This is a result of both the quality of wool or silk used in the rug and the washing process done before use.. Silk rugs will also always have a much higher level of sheen than wool. This element is relevant when purchasing a pile rug, but will not be a concern with a flat weave rug.

Styles of Rugs:

Beni Ourain (Thick Pile)
This style of rug is named after the Beni Ourain tribe in Morocco, which is made up of 17 different Berber tribes within the Atlas Mountains. This tribe is known for their plush, soft, cream-colored rugs, with black or brown stripes, usually in diagonal, intersecting patterns. The rugs are made from sheep wool. The vintage Beni Ourain rugs are neautral in color and abstract in design, which is perfect for the modern décor styles of today. They are versatile, and low in price. During the birth of modern design in the 20th century, these rugs were used by many famous designers, and are therefore linked with classic modern style. The vintage ones were not massed produced originally, and no two are alike. Now they are extremely popular and made in several different countries.

Indian Dhurrie (Flatweave)
This style of flatweave is almost always made from tightly woven cotton, which gives it a light feel and makes for the perfect rug in a light room. The colors used in an Indian Dhurrie are often brighter pastel colors and look very current when coupled with their traditional geometric patterns.

Khotan (Pile)
These are similar to the Mamluks, but less geometrical. The designs, while also based often around a center diamond shape, are more flowery and delicate than the framework of the Mamluk.

Kilim (Flatweave) (Persia, Turkey, Balkans and Eastern Europe)
This style dates back to the 5th century. and is a flat weave with no pile. The patterns are based in a geometric style, often featuring medallions, diamonds, and the famous Mahi (Herati) design which is a diamond medallion with a small fish through in. Unlike the Mamluk, the rug is not always focused on one, large and central diamond. The pattern may be free form and repeating. The more modern versions of the Kilim sometimes in cooperate turquoise, and purple with the traditional reds, green, blue and white. The boldness and geometric quality of the patterns have also become more strong and distinct with modern times. Rug collectors often start with Kilims, because they are cheaper than Pile rugs. It is sometimes thought that because Kilims tend to be less expensive that they are also less substantial in quality or status. This is not true, and Kilims have become increasingly popular in recent years. The lower price was originally based on the Kilims being produced for indigenous use, instead of on a commercial level. Kilims gained popularity when collectors started to value authentic village weavings.

Mamluk (Pile)This is a type of rug based in traditional style, always featuring a large, central diamond. These are similar to the traditional Eastern rugs you might see in your grandmother’s house, especially in the framework. However, the Mamluk’s style is much more geometrically based. These rugs are currently very desirable, as they provide both traditional and modern style.

Oushak (Pile)Traditionally from Turkey-the Oushak is a style of rug which has found recent popularity due to it’s subdued light or earthy tones. Another distinction comes in their unique style of weave where the sides of the knots are visible, so each rug has a unique feel. Their designs often include either central medallions, representative of designs used on Ottoman Manuscripts, or the “Star Ushak”. The patterns are often a combination of geometric and floral motifs, mixed together. The colors are distinctive and tend to include a variety of orange shades, reds, maroons and blues in the background. The motif colors are usually greens, blues, ivory, black and yellow. The colors often look faded, giving this style of rug has an incredibly rustic, and aged feel.

Patchwork (Pile)Patchwork rugs have very recently become a popular reuse of rugs which may have been damaged or tattered. These rugs are given a new life by being repurposed as a very rustic looking collection of different patterns (often overdyed) and stitched together. Patchworked rugs will give any room a great splash of color while preserving the legacy and authentic feel of an antique hand made rug. Although these rugs are made from what were originally pile rugs, they often have very little of the pile left which is what gives them an antique look and feel.

Sari SilkThe same silk that goes into a traditional Indian sari has recently been used to effectively take beautiful traditional patterns and bring them to life. Not only do they have the extremely high level of sheen that is found in a silk rug but they also have a vibrant color scheme that will make you forget everything you just learned about rugs!

Traditional Oriental/Persian RugThese rugs always have a border, and typically are centered on a large, central design, such as a medallion or diamond. They are heavily designed and pattered, and tend to have a somewhat muted color palette compared to the vibrant colors used in modern overdye. These rugs are based in structure and form.